Scanner module and image scanning apparatus employing the same

Abstract

A scanner module and an image scanning apparatus employing the same. The scanner module comprises an illuminator for illuminating light on an object to be scanned. The illuminator includes a light emitting diode, a light guide extending in a main scanning direction to change a direction of the light received from the light emitting diode, and at least one elastic member to elastically support at least one longitudinal end of the light guide. As the light guide is elastically supported by the elastic member, convex deformation or bowing of an emission face of the light guide due to thermal expansion can be reduced.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A light guide unit for an image forming apparatus, the light guide unit comprising:
 a light guide configured to receive a light from at least one light source, and to change a direction of the received light; 
 at least one elastic member configured to support at least one part of the light guide; 
 a light guide mounting portion including at least one spacer, the light guide mounting portion configured to mount the light guide so the at least one part of the mounted light guide is elastically supported by the at least one elastic member and at least one part of the mounted light guide is supported by the at least one spacer; and 
 a holder capable of mounting the at least one light source to the light guide. 
 
     
     
       2. The light guide unit according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one heat radiating member is a made of an elastically deformable material to cause the mounted light source holder to come into close contact with the at least one heat radiating member. 
     
     
       3. The light guide unit according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one radiating member comprises a metallic leaf spring. 
     
     
       4. The light guide unit according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one heat radiating member is made of a thermally conductive material. 
     
     
       5. The light guide unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the holder is mounted on each of a longitudinal end of the light guide to dispose the at least one light source on a longitudinal side of the light guide. 
     
     
       6. The light guide unit according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one light source comprises a pair of light sources,
 wherein the light source holder comprises a pair of the light source holders to mount the pair of light sources on the each of the longitudinal end of the light guide respectively, and 
 the light guide unit further comprises a heat radiating member including a portion in contact with the light source holder to dissipate heat generated from the pair of light sources. 
 
     
     
       7. The light guide unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one heat radiating member including a first portion in contact with the holder to dissipate heat generated from the light source and a second portion extending from the first portion without making contact with the light source. 
     
     
       8. The light guide unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one light source comprises at least one light emitting diode. 
     
     
       9. The light guide unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one spacer is a plurality of spacers provided at opposite ends of the light guide mounting portion and a portion between the opposite ends. 
     
     
       10. The light guide unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one spacer is a plurality of spacers arranged on a side wall surface and a bottom surface of the light guide mounting portion to support the light guide. 
     
     
       11. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
 a sensor configured to detect at least a part of a light reflected from an object to be processed by the image forming apparatus; 
 a light guide configured to receive a light from a light source, and to change a direction of the received light; 
 at least one elastic member configured to support at least one part of the light guide; 
 a light guide mounting portion including at least one spacer and configured to mount the light guide so the at least one part of the mounted light guide is elastically supported by the at least one elastic member and at least one part of the mounted light guide is supported by the at least one spacer; and 
 a holder capable of mounting the at least one light source to the light guide. 
 
     
     
       12. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one heat radiating member is a made of an elastically deformable material to cause the mounted light source holder to come into close contact with the at least one heat radiating member. 
     
     
       13. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one radiating member comprises a metallic leaf spring. 
     
     
       14. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one heat radiating member is made of a thermally conductive material. 
     
     
       15. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the holder is mounted on each of a longitudinal end of the light guide to dispose the at least one light source on a longitudinal side of the light guide. 
     
     
       16. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 15 ,
 wherein the at least one light source comprises a pair of light sources, 
 wherein the light source holder comprises a pair of the light source holders to mount the pair of light sources on the each of longitudinal end of the light guide respectively, and 
 the light guide unit further comprises a heat radiating member including a portion in contact with the light source holder to dissipate heat generated from the pair of light sources. 
 
     
     
       17. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 11 , further comprising at least one heat radiating member including a first portion in contact with the holder to dissipate heat generated from the light source and a second portion extending from the first portion without making contact with the light source. 
     
     
       18. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the light source comprises at least one light emitting diode. 
     
     
       19. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one spacer is a plurality of spacers provided at opposite ends of the light guide mounting portion and a portion between the opposite ends. 
     
     
       20. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one spacer is a plurality of spacers arranged on a side wall surface and a bottom surface of the light guide mounting portion to support the light guide.